U.S. defense agencies tap three companies for satellite disposal study

The United States Department of Defense has selected three companies to conduct a study and develop capabilities for satellite disposal. According to coverage from Aviation Week and SpaceNews, the chosen firms are D-Orbit, Firefly Aerospace, and Katalyst. These companies are part of a broader "Deorbit-As-Service" push intended to remove defunct satellites from space. Specifically, reports from Interesting Engineering indicate that the initiative aims to clear dead satellites from three major Earth orbits to ensure the continued viability of orbital paths. Coverage of the deal is widespread across industry-specific outlets.

Air & Space Forces Magazine reports that the plan to deorbit old satellites is gaining steam following these new deals. Firefly Aerospace, in a direct announcement, confirmed it was awarded a contract to design the Elytra Deorbit System. This specific project is being conducted for the Defense Innovation Unit. The Motley Fool also highlighted the award, noting that Firefly Aerospace has secured this new orbital contract as part of the wider Pentagon initiative to manage space debris. This development is critical because the accumulation of dead satellites in major Earth orbits creates significant risks for active spacecraft and future missions.

By tapping private companies like D-Orbit, Firefly, and Katalyst, the Pentagon is seeking specialized technical solutions to physically remove these assets. The transition toward a service-based model for deorbiting suggests that the U.S. government is looking for scalable, commercial methods to handle the growing volume of orbital waste rather than relying solely on internal military development. Looking forward, the focus will remain on the design and testing of the Elytra Deorbit System developed by Firefly Aerospace for the Defense Innovation Unit. The industry will be watching to see how the study conducted by the three selected firms translates into active missions to clear the three major Earth orbits. Based on the reports from SpaceNews and Aviation Week, the primary objective is the successful execution of the disposal study to determine the most effective methods for satellite removal in a service-oriented framework.